HC Deb 07 May 1935 vol 301 cc811-3
56. Sir MURDOCH MCKENZIE WOOD

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has received any protests against the decoration of Westminster Hall and other public buildings with the English banner of St. George only; and whether he will give instructions that on all public buildings which are British and not English only, the St. Andrew's Cross will be flown equally with the St. George's Cross on ceremonial occasions?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I have only received representations in this matter from the St. Andrew's Society of London. The arrangements are that the St. Andrew's Cross may be flown as freely as is desired on buildings in Scotland, or associated with Scotland, and the St. George's Cross on buildings in England. Both crosses may be used in association with St. Patrick's Cross as components of the Union Jack on any buildings. Not only is Westminster Hall an English mediaeval building, but the St. George's Cross is particularly suitable for its temporary decoration, inasmuch as it dates from long before the Union of England with Scotland. The scheme of decoration carried out by my Department should be considered as a whole. The particular scheme for Westminster Hall was prepared in agreement with the Royal Fine Art Commission, primarily on aesthetic grounds. I would point out that Dover House is decorated solely with the St. Andrew's Cross, and no English symbol of any kind appears upon it. The Union Jack is flown from the main flagstaff of the Palace of Westminster, and all other Government buildings in London other than Dover House.

Sir M. MCKENZIE WOOD

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that 12 St. George's crosses and nothing else are an appropriate decoration for His Majesty's Office of Works, which is a British building and not merely English?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

As I said, we are entitled to regard Westminster Hall as a purely English building but its decoration was decided mainly on aesthetic grounds. The whole building dates from before the Union with Scotland, and if I introduced St. Andrew's Cross, I should have to introduce flags representing every part of the Empire, and that would ruin the whole appearance of the scheme.

Sir M. MCKENZIE WOOD

The right hon. Gentleman did not follow my supplementary question, which referred, not to Westminster Hall, but to His Majesty's Office of Works. May I ask him again whether he think that 12 St. George's crosses and nothing else are an appropriate decoration for an office like the Office of Works?

Mr. BERNAYS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable indignation in that St. George's Cross is not represented on the Scottish Office?

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the inhabitants of England and Wales bear many crosses in the fact that the present Archbishop of Canterbury, the present Prime Minister, the present Secretary of State for the Home Department, and the present Minister for the English Ministry of Agriculture are all Scotsmen?

Sir M. MCKENZIE WOOD

May I have an answer to my supplementary question?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I think the hon. Member might give me notice regarding the decoration of any buildings other than that mentioned in his original question.